r/bookclub • u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 • May 25 '25
Dungeon Crawler Carl series [Discussion] Bonus Book - Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman - BEGINNING through Chapter 9
“Princess Donut, Carl, little Mongo, welcome to the third floor. The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin.”
NEW ACHIEVEMENT!!!! Here we go again!
You have started the next book in a popular book series! What are you, a nerd?? Go outside! Get some sun! Next you’ll be getting ideas. And thinking!
REWARD: You get to hallucinate fictional characters and become emotionally attached to people and creatures that do not exist. Hope you’re not attached to any of them!!
Welcome back, crawlers!!! The system AI welcomes you to Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, Book 2 in the popular litrpg series Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. The system AI wanted to join us for this next read as we start with Chapters 1 through 9. Now, in case you’ve completely blocked out the experience of reading the first of Carl’s and his talking ex-girlfriends’ cat Donut’s adventures inside the World Dungeon, here is a brief recap:
The world ends and all Carl has left is his jacket, his ex-girlfriend’s cat, and a pair of boxers. He drops into the World Dungeon, an 18 floor game show that is put on by the some alien race that decimated Earth and killed most of the humans, though quite a few make it into the Dungeon. Rules are simple: Train, fight, loot, kill, solve the Floor. Carl and Donut make through the first 2 levels of the Dungeon by the end of Book 1 and make a few allies, some enemies, and even a conscientious guild master named Mordecai. They even end up on alien TV! Now, onto Floor 3!
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Feel free to respond to any of the discussion questions below! See you in the discussion!
Rogue
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Thoughts on this section?
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u/toomanytequieros Book Sniffer 👃🏼📖 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
For some reason, I'm enjoying this second volume a little less than the first one. Maybe I need a break between volumes to miss this universe and feel excited to come back. I don’t usually read whole series continuously.
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
This makes sense. The novelty of reading the first book won’t be there anymore so enjoyment can dwindle if you get back into it too soon. So far we haven’t seen too much that’s different from the first book but I think it’ll get interesting when we see more of the race and class building that the two go trough
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I'm excited to come across more crawlers and see what races people chose!
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u/sunnydaze7777777 Flair Master 🐉 May 25 '25
I feel the same way. I was just thinking about needing a break after this one. I was surprised at the amount of what felt like new world building at the beginning of this book. Once the action built it went fast though.
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
Happy to jump back in to the Dungeon.
I can feel the world expanding in this section. They referred to the first few leveleas training levels and it feels like the first book was just dipping our feet in this universe. We know very little because Carl knows very little. As his knowledge expands, our knowledge expands. It's fun and interesting!
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
That's how I feel! I was excited to see Mordecai's role expanding, and this level feels more multi-dimensional with more NPCs and quests
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
We learn about a plan between Carl, Princess Donut and Odette to get Mordecai to stay around as a Manager, without Mordecai noticing. What does Mordecai’s reaction reveal about his character, and what does this plan reveal about Odette’s character and Carl’s character?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books May 25 '25
Mordecai is over it, he just wants to find some sort of relief and make the best of what he has left.
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
I feel bad for him. He has so much sadness but he also believes in Carl.
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
I wonder what Odette’s angle is because Mordecai seems to have serious beef with her and she’s now taken away his ability to progress through his final dungeon assignment how he wanted to
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
I’m hoping this is all part of her plan to eventually get Mordecai out of there. Because he’s mad at her she’s using Carl to indirectly help him too. Looking forward to getting more information about their history together.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I don't really know what Odette's motivation is here, other than maybe to keep Carl and Donut alive and starring on her show. Carl is just trying to keep himself and Donut alive, in this case by being a bit sneaky. I think Mordecai suffered some real loss as a crawler and didn't want to become entagled with anyone.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Mongo! New Party member! How will Mongo fit into the party makeup?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books May 25 '25
I love the enthusiastic puppy vibes and he shifts Donut into a responsible mother role. Mongo is going to be fun.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
The way she calls herself mommy and Carl is Uncle Carl when she talks to Mongo! I love it!
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I love the puppy energy too! And the way he broke free of Signet's spell just because Donut said she doesn't like her. I also love that Donut calls Carl "Uncle Carl" when talking to Mongo. So sweet.
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
Mongo is key in keeping Donut in line. I think he makes the party stronger while being more cautious of the way they attack
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
Yes! So far, he's come in very handy as an early warning system when stealthy mobs are nearby. Like others have said, he is going to get stronger and smarter, a valuable member of the party.
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
Extra muscle AND he inspires growth in Donut. The team vibes are shifting (Carl’s comment about pets) and I think Mongo makes Donut less of a pet and more of an actual partner for Carl. I’m not 100% sure if Carl thinks of her that way now or if he’s just trying to make up for the potential hurt his pet comment caused, but the party dynamic is shifting and I’m loving it! But also, Mongo is Donut’s puppy/baby and I love that. WE WILL PROTECT MONGO AT ALL COSTS AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO THE BABY (please 🥺).
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I think that Carl made the pet comment purely out of habit in an attempt to talk about how buck wild their situation is, but I'm still bummed he hasn't apologized to Donut about it. He made a mistake but didn't own up. I'm hoping he'll talk to Donut about it after she wakes up
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
Mongo will be both loyal and increasingly vicious, I bet that will come in handy as he grows!
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I love Mongo as a pet! They've done a great job of training him so far and the more they keep him involved in kills, the faster he will grow. I'm really interested to see what he's like fully grown. Not to mention with 2 other clockwork versions.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
New floor New monsters! Thoughts on the new crop of mobs on this floor? Are they trickier than previous enemies? Any really gross you out? (Looking at you Mold Lion!)
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
Yeah the hold mould thing is crazy. They essentially never die right? It takes a single mould spore to stay alive. I can foresee challenges arising from these mobs at higher levels
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u/tn-47 May 25 '25
They do seem trickier. The lemurs have some type of stealth mode where they don’t show up on the map until you actually physically see them. They also set up that trap with the dead crawlers to lure more crawlers in thinking they would loot the bodies.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
I really loved Heather: her backstory and the end of her fight with Carl had me tearing up. I'm really glad he was able to free her from those disgusting worms and let her rest. I loved that the custard from the lottery scratcher had a hidden benefit! Normally healing your enemy is the last thing you'd want. Carl also scored some points with Signet for releasing Heather, so that whole fight was a big win.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I loved this part too! I was dreading what would happen with the custard, but it all worked out in a very heart warming way!
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
The custard was great, but I was devastated that Carl didn't get to try any of it. It sounded sooo good
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u/Meia_Ang Reading inside 'the box'🧠 May 30 '25
I loved that the custard from the lottery scratcher had a hidden benefit!
Yes! It reminds me of a feature in some classic RPGs where healing an undead enemy will deal damage.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
After Carl healed Heather, I was wondering if he will deal with more of the circus mobs with some form of healing. Maybe it's going to be about something more clever than just brute force.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
It seems to me that the majority of these bosses can be easily defeated as long as you can figure out the trick to disable their attacks. I like that there's an option that allows the more clever, less physically skilled crawlers to get by, though I imagine it'll become harder and harder for them as they descend.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
When the bear fell and the front half of her flesh tore off when she got up... absolute nightmare material
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
The Meadowlark residents and their attendants, including Brandon, all go through Class and Race selection. What do you think the residents decided on for Class and Race? They also received loot boxes for not killing anything on the first two floors, which may have resulted in some powerful loot! What do you think they got?
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
I reckon they may be the first crawlers to get this far without inflicting any damage so they’ll likely get medic classes with healing buffs. The game will essentially make it so they stand a chance to continue surviving in this way as it’ll eventually bring viewership. It’s like those challengers streamers do to win a battle royal without killing a single person
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
This is a great prediction! It would be a very interesting twist to have crawlers succeed with no violence at all.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
Especially considering how after every recap episode the announcement finishes with 'kill, kill, kill!'
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
Good point! Maybe they picked one of the "goody two-shoes" selections that Carl and Donut were barred from selecting. Maybe one of the monk classes, since Mordecai did say those were worth a look(?).
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
Monk could be a good guess! I believe some monks fight while in a meditative trance, or even while drunk, so this could work for residents with cognitive impairments.
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 26 '25
Ooo... I totally missed the detail about them being able to fight while in a meditative trance! That would be such a perfect skill set for the elderly... low-effort but still totally badass.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 26 '25
I don't think Mordecai mentioned it, I've just picked it up from other RPGs.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
I don't know enough about RPG races/classes to make a specific guess, but I connected it to the fact that Carl couldn't choose anything like a cleric or paladin due to his level of fighting/killing skills, so I figured they probably got the opposite choices he did.
Maybe they got some sort of defensive spells or shields, or maybe a powerful rebound spell/charm so they can continue to level up without directly attacking, just relying on the attacks of their opponents to bounce back on them. They could call it the "I'm rubber and you're glue" loot box!
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
When I'm playing Hades, I call those kinds of runs where I do the most damage through revenge "porcupine builds". Like you can mess with me but be prepared for a world of hurt afterwards! I think a porcupine build would be an excellent choice for this group, as long as their race gives a decent constitution boost, and others have healer classes. The Meadowlark group went from 'how are you not dead yet' to 'oh shit wait you guys are actually doing good'
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
I’m rooting for them and I hope the new race/class selections will help their caretakers. Those 3 need a lot of help if they’re to continue surviving as a group.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I hope the seniors chose builds that would allow them to start assisting the attendants. Some of them seemed pretty feisty! If they all work together, they could become a really powerful group.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Signet compels Carl to help her by trapping Donut and holding her hostage. How will Carl go about solving this newest issue?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
Dare I say, with his feet?! The system AI would definitely appreciate that. (Not me, I'm not into feet, I'm just into the running joke which only gets funnier each time it comes up.)
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
It seemed like he has a plan to awake her with a potion and try to flee from Signet.
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
Yes! This is exactly what I was thinking too. Either stalling in the circus tent until Mordecai can get the potion, or moving on to Plan B with Zed… whatever Plan B is!
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
He has some kind of batshit crazy plan that I think will work. I hope Donut stays safe in the meantime with Mongo guarding her.
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u/Adventurous_Emu_7947 May 25 '25
I think he’s having Zev set up an interview with someone so that Donut and he can get teleported out of the dungeon. I’m not entirely sure how the whole mechanism works, but I imagine it to be similar to what happened with the Li Jun party when they got teleported into the Maestro’s studio. (Reference to Book 1, using spoiler tags just to be safe in case someone mixed up the order).
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
Carl is going to fight anything and everything he needs to for Donut. He loves that little Princess. Hopefully Donut still gets some experience as part of his group and they both level up substantially from this.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
As manager, Mordecai is compelled to appear whenever Princess Donut enters a saferoom. What shenanigans do you foresee for our heroes and this new development with Mordecai?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
Poor Mordecai! But I'm so glad he'll be on their future adventures. I am betting that Donut is going to treat him like a real manager for stars and demand all kinds of things he does not want to do for her. Also, since he is in a sexy new form, Donut is likely to get super jealous of any attention he draws away from her. Will this cause a fight between her and an NPC? Possibly!
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I thought the end of Chapter 4 was peak shenanigans. lol. But I really like the idea of Mordecai drugging the Bopca protector's drink to get a peek at the newsletter info and the potion. That would definitely shake things up and make him a pretty handy guy to have in the group.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
Right, I didn't realize he'd be able to take such a direct hand in things as a manager. At first, I thought he'd just be able to give them advice any time, rather than just in the training guild. But his alchemy abilities seem really useful, especially if he can brew a potion to save Donut!
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
I feel awful for him but my goodness, his new role has been awesome and extremely beneficial so far. I’m not looking forward to the potential fallout later when the deception is revealed (unless he kinda knows already?) but the party is getting bigger and rowdier and I’ll just enjoy it for now.
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25 edited May 25 '25
I'm not looking forward to the potential fallout later when the deception is revealed (unless he kinda knows already?)
I don't think he does. I think Donut might let it slip at some point and Mordecai will be angry. Maybe he'll refuse to help them but at the last monute have a change of conscience and help them because he cares about them.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I think Mordecai is going to become very attached to Carl and Donut so that he doesn't mind being their manager. But at some point, he is going to find out about Odette being involved in the selection process and I worry he will feel betrayed and lash out.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Any favorite moments, quotes etc?
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25 edited May 25 '25
Wouldn’t be right if the quote was from anyone else…
When Carl is asking about Signet charming him, Princess Donut comes out with - ”HE HAS AN ERECTION, MORDECAI. IT’S VERY INAPPROPRIATE. MONGO IS APPALLED.”
Her do as I say not as I do moment in this exchange when they hear 80% of crawlers remained as human - “That’s way more than I thought it would be,” I said. “I’m surprised.” “Not me,” Donut said. “You humans were always a cocky bunch.” “You didn’t change, either,” I said. “Of course not, Carl. Why would I stop being a cat?”
“It’s likely the art of cracking nuts with your toes,” Donut said. She turned to the bopca. “Gordo, darling. Get me some walnuts. We need to experiment.” She laughed. - Not Donut mocking the AI’s love for Carl’s tootsies
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u/Ser_Erdrick Professor of the Author Profile May 25 '25
”HE HAS AN ERECTION, MORDECAI. IT’S VERY INAPPROPRIATE. MONGO IS APPALLED.”
This one had me cracking up in laughter so badly that I had to pause it and waiting until the laughing fit stopped before I could continue!
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
Same. This was absolutely the funniest line in the whole section, perfectly delivered in the voice of Princess Donut. I knew I'd be quoting it if no one else got to it first.
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
This was one of the lines that had me laughing aloud to myself while reading. I just couldn’t help it
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
“It’s likely the art of cracking nuts with your toes,” Donut said. She turned to the bopca. “Gordo, darling. Get me some walnuts. We need to experiment.” She laughed. - Not Donut mocking the AI’s love for Carl’s tootsies
And the foot fetish continues! I cracked up also when Carl got the Enchanted Anklet. The AI sounded completely unexcited, and Carl immediately picked up on how much it clearly didn't want him to wear it. lol
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
I never gave much thought to ankle and foot jewelry before, but obviously I need to get with the program. Toe rings are superior to anklets apparently!
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u/tn-47 May 25 '25
“My good sir, I must ask you sheath your sword immediately!” the Bopca cried. “This is a family establishment”
“So when we talk to that Signet woman, we’re on another show?” Donut asked. Mordecai just looked at the cat. “Out of all of what I just said, that’s what you take away?”
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 27 '25
This reminded me of that scene from Family Guy where Stewie comes out with “heavens, it appears my wee-wee has been stricken with rigor mortis”
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
In order to find out what's under that helmet, you'll have to first kill the guard. Go ahead and give it a try. I double dog dare you.
Donut being appalled by "Cat Girls".
Donut reacting to a description of innards.
That was needlessly gruesome.
Donut reacting to being told she can brush herself.
Well, I never!
She gets appalled and indignant over everything!
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
NEW ACHIEVEMENT!!! What exciting achievements did Carl and Princess Donut acquire in this section of the novel?
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 25 '25
New achievement! It’s Elementary, My Dear Crawler! - the rewards being a piss take never gets old lol
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
One of my faves so far given that I'm reading along with all the Sherlock Holmes on r/bookclub!
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
Not an achievement, but I think the Manager benefit is going to be huge for Carl and Donut!
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Crazy Carnaval Creatures! In Chapter 9, Carl and Princess Donut loot circus tickets to the Big Top Show. Do you think their adventure will lead them there or will they avoid it at all cost?
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
They will go for the loot or for the quest!
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I think Carl will end up entering the circus since he needs to collapse the tent from the inside, like Signet instructed. But he might stall while he's in there, either to wait for Mordecai getting the potion for Donut or plan B with Zed? Though I'm not really sure what plan B even is.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
I'm not sure it's actually a Plan B. I think Carl just needed Zev to tell him the name of the circus show so that he'd know which side had more plot armor. It seems like Signet is the star of the show, so he'll be at least relatively safer cooperating with her plan.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I think someone else had the right idea and Carl's plan with Zev is to have him teleported out to a show the moment he finishes the boss fight, so he can escape the Elite! It's not technically interfering with the battle but could still save his ass depending on how it goes down
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
They'll go for it! We have to see what is in the Big Top, right?
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I think they will end up very involved in this circus quest. Partly out of being forced to, but also because if they do this right, they have an elite to help them level up. Not to mention the fact that Donut is pumped to be on another show - although we'll see how she feels when she becomes conscious again.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Loot! Any cool loot Carl and Princess Donut got in this section that you liked?
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u/Adventurous_Emu_7947 May 25 '25
The mold-covered lion heart – I’m looking forward to seeing how that ends up being used.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
This was my favorite too. I'm not sure what Carl was thinking, but it was a pretty cool moment.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
I liked that there was a collar for Mongo who freaked out but then accepted it!
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
Every time Jeff Hays says "clown meat", I want to barf. What could possibly be the use for that??
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
FLOOR 3!!! Moredcai calls the previous two floors the “training levels”. How do you think this Floor will be different from previous Floors?
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
It seems like this floor has towns and cities and more NPCs and other characters that Carl can interact with.
Of course the danger and difficulty will increase.
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
Each decision will be more meaningful, and less easily to recover. I think the factions or mobs will be more relevant on these floors, too.
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
Aside from tougher mobs/bosses, I think the inclusion of the quests and the Elites will shake things up in unexpected ways. Their presence feels like a wildcard, so I'm guessing we're in for some bonus chaos and surprises that go beyond the usual dungeon format.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
Maybe it'll be even more random and high stakes? Is that possible? (Of course it is!)
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
It seems pretty terrifying that so many people died on the training levels. I think Carl and Donut are going to have to take bigger risks to really gain experience and level up faster.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Thoughts on Mordecai’s new form?
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
Now that Mordecai has a sexy form, I'm somewhat shipping him and Carl... I won't apologize for who I am!
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
Mordecai has a really unfortunate new form for someone who regularly drinks. In this form, it's going to throw him for a loop and make him less dependable as a manager.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
An important handicap! I have a feeling Mordecai is much, much stronger than we've been lead to believe.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
There are a lot of Classes and Race selection options. What would you have picked? Would you go about it like Carl or Princess Donut?
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I think I'd pick human race. Unlike Carl, I'm not confident enough to go with primal and train a skill past level 15. I'd rather take the other benefits that come with choosing the human race.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
I'd stay human. I agreed with Carl's reaction to thinking about the awful permanence of transforming himself.
I knew before the descriptions even finished that Donut was sticking with cat. Hilarious! That's how I would have said Human! if I was choosing.
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
I'd probably stay human. It's just too weird to become something else.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
I'd consider a different race, but only if it was humanoid and not hideous. I could see myself going with Cat Girl, actually! (As long as that's a girl who turns into a cat, and not some weird otaku furry nonsense.)
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 27 '25
The inquisitiveness in me would have me wanting to pick a cool class that gives me all these powers/abilities but in reality I’d likely stick to human and just choose a brute force class for sheer strength and size. Infinite gym gains glitch
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I would pick a class that keeps me as far away from the enemies as possible while still being able to kill them quickly. I don't have the guts for fighting, though when I play RPGs I do go for tanks because they're quickest
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I loved the Shield Maiden option. I think I would create a Lady Thor build.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
How are Carl’s and Princess Donut’s approaches to Class and Race selection different?
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
Donut picks like a true cat, impulsively, dramatically, and with zero regard for the consequences. Meanwhile, Carl is much more cautious/strategic. He takes the time to weigh the pros and cons of each selection.
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
Donut being impulsive worked in their favor when they did the thing that made Mordecai their manager. He believed it was Donut's fault because Donut does stuff like that all the time.
But I think she's going to be too impulsive with something at some point and it won't be a lucky decision. It will set them back somehow.
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 27 '25
I feel like she’s started to develop impulse control since becoming a pet mum to Mongo. She now has that mindset of “I need to look after myself so I can look after my baby”
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
Methodical vs. Too late, I already pushed the button mayhem plus acting!
This serendipitously aligned with one of my favorite Expanse lines in our chapters of Nemesis Games this week: Fred Johnson asks Holden what he just did during their investigation and Holden says "There was a button. I pushed it." and Fred is like "Jesus Christ. That really is how you go through life, isn't it?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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u/sunnydaze7777777 Flair Master 🐉 May 25 '25
Yes! AnExpanse and DCC crossover we never knew we needed.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
Princess Donut makes choices exclusively on vibes, while Carl deliberates by using all of the given information.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
How familiar were you with the classes and races mentioned in the selections curated by the Dungeon AI? Any standouts or ones you’d want to learn more about?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
As I said in another comment, I am new to RPGs and know very little about this whole thing but it is a very fun ride. All I know about the race and class stuff I learned from listening to my 13 y.o. talk about his D&D summer camp and school club. He's a paladin. Shrugs in mild confusion But I was absolutely cackling at Donut's options for class. I am soooo glad she picked the one she did, the way she did it. I'm also really intriguing Carl's selection and I hope we learn more about the primals.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I also want to know more about the primals! So far it seems like he's still the same, but I'm hoping he'll learn how to transform/shapeshift to match his enemies' and it'll make the harder boss fights easier!
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 30 '25
Shape shifting would be a cool (and helpful) ability!
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
Are these things universal somehow? Not just made up for the book? I wasn't familiar with any of this. I don't play video games.
All of the race/class stuff doesn't really register with me. I understand some have advantages and disadvantages. I just go with what Carl thinks and says.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
I was familiar with some but not others. Hobgoblin was a recommended race for Carl, and that's a common one from D&D and other RPGs, just like Elves, Dwarves, etc. Players of those games might already know some of the things that Mordecai explains, like monks being a barehand combat based class. But a lot of the exclusive Earth classes seem made up for this series: I've never played any RPG where Compensated Anarchist or Former Child Actor were available classes!
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
There were some really unique choices that I didn't recognize, and I'm fairly familiar with RPGs. I play Dungeons & Dragons regularly and have played a decent number of RPG video games.
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u/Meia_Ang Reading inside 'the box'🧠 May 30 '25
The unique classes are hilarious and I hope we see more of them. Former child actor's description was my favorite.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Other crawlers begin to stand out, including the strange but powerful Lucia Mar. Thoughts on her Class and Race selection? How do you see her figuring into the story in this book and future storylines?
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
I kind of loved that she chose a scary skull face for half the time. I wonder if her charisma increases in such a way that she frightens mobs. She's a total bad ass.
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
In Book 1, I thought she would team up with Carl and Donut to survive the dungeon together. But after reading about her race selection, she's starting to come across as a little power-hungry, which makes me think she might end up becoming one of their rivals instead.
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u/124ConchStreet Clang Dong May 27 '25
She always seemed like a Lone Ranger to me. The description of her and the dogs leaves an imagine in my mind of this badass fighter that doesn’t need a partner. She just has her (insert menacing dog breed here) to protect and fight alongside her
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I'm so excited to meet Lucia Mar. She has such a badass lone-wolf type appearance going on and I'm honestly a bit obsessed. I don't think that she and Carl will become besties, but maybe 'reluctant allies when the situation absolutely demands it' is in the realm of possibility.
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u/Meia_Ang Reading inside 'the box'🧠 May 30 '25
I'm fangirling hard too!! I also hope for a reluctant allies situation, which will allow her more pagetime.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
BOSS BATTLE!! Heather the Bear! How is this Boss Battle different from what Carl has experienced before?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
It was somehow grosser. How is that possible? What is wrong (right?) with Matt Dinniman?! I am covering my eyes/ears for the rest of these books... but also peeking so I still get the joy of reading along.
Also, he was alone this time, and he aptly points out that Donut is gonna be mad. We are getting repeated little hints about them being separated. Is it the 9th floor they allude to periodically? Plus Mordecai is only Donut's manager, not Carl's. I don't want them to separate! Carl's panicked, despairing "I don't want to be alone!" was too much!
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u/Adventurous_Emu_7947 May 25 '25
My subconscious must have blocked out any hints that they might be separated at some point… but now that you’ve pointed it out, I can’t unsee it. I don't think I can handle a Carl Donut separation!
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
The worms were so creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy!!!!!!!!!!!!! They would talk to him in his brain. YUCK
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
The worms were YUCK! I'd never look at my mop the same way again.
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
That was very scary, sad and dramatic (for tv!). I’m sure the producers of that show were quite happy with how that fight went. It’s less videogame and more HBO.
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u/Adventurous_Onion989 ☆🧠 May 28 '25
Carl best this boss in a very unique way. It was accidental when he healed Heather, but I felt a lot of compassion when he put her down in the end. He always fights in a moral way and I think that is going to go over well with viewers.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
If there is something you want to discuss that I missed, feel free to post it here!
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u/toomanytequieros Book Sniffer 👃🏼📖 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25 edited May 25 '25
A moment that stuck with me was when Carl inadvertently said “we don’t put our lives in danger for our pets” before realizing that Donut is/used to be a pet… I wonder if his attempt to fix it by calling her his partner worked. I think he definitely does see her as his partner (which is totally why he didn’t think twice about talking about pets this way), but I wonder whether Donut will be stewing over this comment. Plus, maybe she thinks humans should put themselves in danger for their pets as much as for their partner. She was one! But… I think Carl kind of did put himself in danger for her, at the beginning of it all, right? Now I’m stewing over it.
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I love this observation! Carl clearly doesn't see Donut as a pet anymore, he was even ready to kidnap her after the breakup, which says a lot. Calling her his partner now reflects how much she means to him, and the irony is that his offhand comment about not risking your life for pets just proves how far he has moved beyond that mindset. Donut outgrew that label a long time ago.
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
Ooh that moment! We didn’t get anything from Donut after that so I’m wondering what’s going on in her head. I’m sure at this point she knows she’s not really a pet anymore, but I do think she got hurt a bit by that. At first I thought she’d be offended on behalf of Mongo, but by not responding it made me think Carl hit a nerve there. I’m hoping it comes up because I’m ready for more emotional scenes between those two.
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
I was a little disappointed in Carl, because he definitely realized Donut felt hurt, but he didn't apologize, just tried to move on. I do think calling her "partner" was meant as an apology, but like you, I hope they do revisit this and talk through it more. The fact is, plenty of people do risk their lives for their pets; Carl no longer sees Donut as a pet, but he also doesn't fully accept her ability to make her own decisions, e.g. risking her life for Mongo.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I'm hoping Carl will give her a proper apology after she wakes up at the end of the Carnival plotline!
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u/Ser_Erdrick Professor of the Author Profile May 25 '25
Carl chose a very mysterious race called a 'Primal' for his race. Given the lore behind them that Mordecai drops on Carl and Donut, I wonder if they'll come up again in later volumes?
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u/yuri28 r/bookclub Newbie May 25 '25
I’m thinking his choice of race will play a big part in the outside world (universe?) given the mystery behind the Primals and their disappearance. I’m excited for more lore!
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u/sunnydaze7777777 Flair Master 🐉 May 25 '25
Great point. I bet you are right. This will provide a nice story line in later books.
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u/myneoncoffee Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time 🧠 May 26 '25
for anyone wondering about the author and the narrator: they are as crazy as the books suggest.
here's jeff hays getting donut tattooed of his ass while they do a q&a: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g-T95DTBRA
ps. both of them are very active on reddit, and you'll often see matt pop up with a funny answer in random posts on r/DungeonCrawlerCarl
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I LOVE this. I couldn't watch more than a minute for fear of spoilers, but they seem like bros.
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u/nopantstime OFF with their HEADS!!!🃏🔍 Jun 06 '25
like u/emygrl99 i just watched a few seconds of this bc i don't want anything spoiled but i gotta say i am so surprised by jeff hays's real voice!!! i thought his real voice would be closer to carl's voice lol color me SHOCKED
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Theory time! This is the first section, the beginning of the novel. Where do you think the story goes from here?
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u/toomanytequieros Book Sniffer 👃🏼📖 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
Something is definitely going to happen with the guards… so much foreshadowing! 😆
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I’m not sure where this book is going to end at, but based on the pacing, it feels like it will wrap up on the third floor. So I'm guessing we will spend a good chunk of it learning about the circus, the Elites, and the other show the Elites are involved in.
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
I'm thinking it might end with the 4th floor. 2 floors per book seems like a solid pace for now, until things get too beefy and/or we reach the end of Carl's time in the dungeon.
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
I can't even begin to guess, but I think Carl will remain pantsless until the end of the series!
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
And shoeless!
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u/emygrl99 Froot Loops From a Soup Can May 30 '25
At this point I think shoes would be incredibly uncomfortable for him. Thank god the ambient temperature in the dungeon isn't too cold!
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
Those of you listening to the book rather than reading a physical or digital copy, how did you enjoy this section?
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
I am doing both! Because it's what I do with this series! I listen to it in the car and then tandem read/listen at the same time. Our beloved narrator is just fabulous! DINNIMAN EVEN SAID SO HIMSELF!
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u/Ser_Erdrick Professor of the Author Profile May 25 '25
Jeff Hays is such a good narrator and somehow he got even better in the second book!
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u/latteh0lic Tea = Ambrosia of the gods |🎃🃏🔍 May 25 '25
I'm doing both too! It's fun to read/listen in tandem! Sadly, this will be the last book I read along with, since I'm not paying full price for KU once my deal runs out. lol. But honestly, Jeff Hayes is such an amazing narrator that I'll always enjoy just listening. He really levels up the whole reading experience!
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
I completely understand. It is too had that Dinniman has a partnership with audible only. I understand from his perspective, but it sucks for us.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
I love tandem reading! I'm still waiting on my physical copy hold to come in but I'm fine with the audio for now. The narrator is so much better than anyone has the right to be. Perfection!
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u/Joinedformyhubs Wheel Warden & Mascot Minister | 🐉 May 25 '25
It's actually funny.... when we met him someone asked in the Q&A if he had to teach Jeff how to pronounce things, etc etc. Matt said that it only happened once or twice but now all Matt hears is Jeff's way of saying things. Haha.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 May 25 '25
That must make the writing process extra interesting. It's such an iconic narration that at this point I could see how they're sort of permanently linked. I wonder if he ever feels like running early drafts by Jeff?! 😆
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u/Ser_Erdrick Professor of the Author Profile May 25 '25
Jeff Hays somehow gets even better in this, the second volume of the series.
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u/Comprehensive-Fun47 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 ||🧠🥉 May 25 '25
I like it so much, I will be buying each book on Audible. Totally worth the credits.
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u/nopantstime OFF with their HEADS!!!🃏🔍 Jun 06 '25
same here, i will be using all my audible credits on this series!
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u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 Born To Read, Forced To Work | 🎃👑🧠 May 25 '25
I love it. Even during such a short break, I'd missed these characters, and Jeff Hays's narration is such a big part of that.
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u/myneoncoffee Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time 🧠 May 26 '25
loved it so much! like others have said, the narration seems to be getting even better, and carl and donut's voices with it. i saw a few interviews with jeff hays where he said their voices evolved a lot during the course of the books, and i can definitely hear it happening.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 May 25 '25
In this section we meet Elites, specifically Signet, who is part of a separate show than Carl and Donut. What do you think they add to the story? They’re referred to as ‘scripted’. How will their experience differ from Carl’s and Princess Donut’s? Should Carl and Princess Donut stay away as Mordecai had suggested?